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Thoroughbreds Gallop To Victory Wetherby 8 – 21 Wibsey Yorkshire Five B/C League Match Youthful Wibsey had a euphoric victory at Wetherby. Some telling hits in defence were the cornerstone of Wibsey's victory. The visitors makeshift pack struggled to secure first phase possession early in the game. This saw the home side have plenty of ball to attack with, but the Wibsey defence time and again pummelled any Wetherby attackers mercilessly. Tries Conv. WIBSEY DROWNED BUT NOT OUT
Yorkshire Five C League Match Wibsey’s young side put in an encouraging display in South Yorkshire. A match played in a howling gale on wet pitch meant that the conditions didn’t suit Wibsey’s inexperienced slight players. They put a pretty impressive first half performance into the wind to restrict the home side to two tries and just twelve points. One of the scores came from a mistake at the base of a defending 5 metre scrum for a gift of a try. Try Conv. WIBSEY SHOWING PROMISE
Yorkshire Five B - League Match Saturday 12 Janruary 2008
The scoreboard did not show the improvement that Wibsey had made to their play against Stanley Rodilions. Try Conv. WIBSEY LAY GHOSTs TO REST
Yorkshire Five B - League Match Saturday 13 October 2007
Wibsey’s improving form continued as they almost caused a shock in the Yorkshire Silver Trophy. Wibsey had just one raid into the Rishworthians half. It came from a line-out with quick ball to the backs, Fly Half Dan Horsfall fed centre Jamie Vogel showed good pace to scythe through the defence then he kicked ahead and won the race to touch down in the corner. HT 5 – 11 Rishwortians were first to score in the 2nd half with a further Bloem penalty. Wibsey then overcame their problems in the line-out and started to secure their own ball, the Villagers also put the Rishworthians scrum under more pressure than the Aussies withstood last week in France. As Wibsey pressed, the Copley men were under the cosh, Bloem continually helped the visitors cause with clearance kicks out of the danger zone. A further home attack saw another Vogel kick through charged down, the ball fortuitously falling straight into the hands of fellow centre Paul Collins, whose pace was too much for Rishworthians as he scored at the posts, Sawyer added the extras. 12 – 14 Wibsey strived for the win but it was the visitors who had the last say with a late Bloem penalty. FT 12 – 17 The Villagers were gutted not to win but heartened by another improved performance. The backs are looking impressive, two tries from only two real attacks speaks for itself. Had Wibsey not had three cross offs on Saturday morning they may have found themselves in the next round.
Tries: Collins J. Vogel
Conv.: Sawyer
Pens: WIBSEY 2nd STRING 2nd BEST Adwick le Street 16 - 3 Wibsey Yorkshire Five B - League Match Saturday 29 September 2007 A Wibsey side which was in effect a 2nd XV, with a second row partnership with a combined age greater than the whole of the three-quarters put together, put in a performance full of effort but very little skill. The visitors fell behind to two early penalties, before taking control of the game for twenty-five minutes where they dominated possession and territory. Wibsey notched up a penalty by James Sawyer and the fly Half missed with two further attempts. HT 6 - 3 A strange Adwick try was scored when the home side appeared to obstruct the home defence, the Wibsey players expected the referee to give the penalty as he put his whistle to his mouth, however he did not, but all the visitors stopped playing and the home side poured through to score by the posts. A further penalty sealed the home victory which was tainted somewhat as Adwick had two players sent to the sin bin, one for stamping, the other for an off the ball “professional” tackle as Chris Paine followed up his own kick through off a loose ball. FT 16 - 3 Mark Carter was excellent in the line-out giving quick, clean ball to the backs with regular occurrence. James Sawyer was again the pick of the backs. Wibsey hope to welcome back the cavalry of recently unavailable players for next weeks home game against struggling Stanley Rodillions. Tries: WIBSEY PAY THE PENALTY
Wibsey 8 - 15 Old Grovians Yorkshire Five B - League Match Saturday 22 September 2007 A much improved performance by depleted Wibsey saw them almost take the spoils in this Yorks 5B clash on Northfield Rd. Poor discipline cost them victory in the end. The visitors were always struggling in the line-out which saw them draw on their experience at 7’s as the tapped all the very many penalties awarded their way. Grovians superior technique at the breakdown saw them keep Wibsey’s young side at bay. Good defence on both sides kept scoring opportunities to a minimum, a good bounce from a James Sawyer chip saw the Fly – Half recollect then of-load to winger Steffan Goodall but the youngster was unable to hold on to the pass with the line at his mercy. Old Grovians opened the scoring with a converted try, Sawyer quickly replied with a long range penalty for a half-time score of 3 – 7. The 2nd half saw Wibsey become increasingly frustrated as they gave away penalty after penalty in the loose, even though they were dominating 1st phase possession they made no headway. A Grovians penalty extended their lead to 7 points. Wibsey finally strung together a couple of phases which saw an excellent break by centre Liam Precious supported by his partner Paul Collins who scored wide out, Sawyer struck the near upright with the conversion attempt. 8 – 10 Grovians defence was excellent throughout as they kept frustrating the home side and drawing the penalties. As Wibsey strived to keep the ball alive a loose pass was intercepted at the death for Grovians to seal the victory with a try. WIBSEY TROUNCED
Old Rishworthians 72 - 0 WibseyYorkshire Five B - League Match Saturday 15 September 2007
A Jamie Bloem inspired Rishworthians trounced a Wibsey side missing ten players through injury and unavailability. The well drilled Copley men played with good structure throughout the game. Had it not been for the excellent defensive work of No. 8 James Birkbeck, half backs James Sawyer and Chris Paine and debutant winger Luke Hand the score would have been greater still. WIBSEY GIVEN TUTORIAL BY STUDENTS
York University 38 - 7 Wibsey Yorkshire Five North West League Match Saturday 17 March 2007
A late flurry of tries by a much fitter side flattered and gave the score line a lob sided look, despite the game being keenly contested right to the final whistle. Playing into the wind in the first half, Wibsey had to withstand a lot of pressure in the first 20 minutes, which they did mostly successfully. York only had an unconverted try to show for there endeavours, despite looking dangerous in the backline. The 2nd quarter saw the Wibsey pack start to get a grip of their opponents with good driving mauls making headway and drawing penalties. As the Villagers began to play the game in the final third, so their confidence grew. Centre Chris Vogel was a constant threat, ball in hand, his strong running creating a great target for his forwards. As Wibsey continued to pressurise the York try line, good handling in the backs saw full back Carl Walker seemed a certain scorer. Only a last ditch ankle tap tackle preventing the score. The green and reds kept up the pressure with impressive No. 8 Rob Bourne driving through a plethora of tacklers to reach out to touchdown on the line, however the referee failed to keep up with play to witness the score and awarded an attacking scrum. Wibsey failed to capitalise on this position but were happy to turn around only 5 points down. HT 5 – 0 The visitors started the 2nd half brightly, playing a much more open game. Fluent rugby saw flanker James Birkbeck pop up on the wing, sadly the youngster knocked-on to end a promising move. Another attack in the backs saw winger Simon Birkbeck stumble as the pass went behind him. The York winger quickly picked up the loose ball and sprinted 30 metres before he was tackled by the cover. A quick recycle saw the majority of the University pack in support for an easy score with the Wibsey pack unable to get there. Shortly after that from a scrum the No. 8 sold an outrageous dummy which the Wibsey back-row bought, he then charged 30 metres past a few half hearted tackles to score. The visitors kept battling and pressing for a score, but every time York managed a turnover or a quip tap penalty they threatened to rip through the flimsy Wibsey defence with their extra pace and fitness. Wibsey went close on two occasions with first Bob Wood and then Chris Vogel being adjudged held up over the try line, the latter effort seemingly a bit harsh on Wibsey’s centre. From the resultant scrum the pack put the squeeze on. As the home scrum creaked and tried to wheel away, the Wibsey eight kept on straight and true on their own, sub No. 8 Mark Carter making hard work of an easy score which Walker converted. As the Wibsey team tired the home side turned up the gas with three further late tries for a final score of 38 - 7
Tries Carter
Conv. Walker WIBSEY ENTERTAIN FORMER PLAYERS
Wibsey 47 - 0 Heath III Club MatchSaturday 3 March 2007
In excellent conditions for open rugby, Wibsey’s young side delivered an exhibition of flowing skill to entertain a crowd swelled by the invited mass ranks of former players. The Wibsey side had an average age of just 22, and that included three veterans in the team! The Villagers got off to a flying start when centre Jamie Vogel picked up a loose pass 20 metres out to evade three would-be tacklers to score under the posts, Bob Wood fulfilled a lifetime’s ambition by converting the goal. The veteran prop faces a career threatening operation to his foot next month, so stand in skipper Rob Greenwood showed his softer side and let “Tough as Teak” take the kick. 7 – 0 The home side were soon on the attack down the slope once more, with Vogel and Fly-Half Joe Gregson linking well to release centre Paul Collins whose searing pace saw him romp in from 40 metres with James Sawyer adding the extras. 14 - 0 Wibsey carried on with their whirlwind start as Gregson again linked with Vogel to unleash the backs with a move that sent debutant winger Scott Smith free down the left flank, he showed great speed to outpace his opposite number and the cover defence to score. 21 - 0 The forwards then had their say with the back row of Bourne, Greenwood and Birkbeck outstanding in the loose it was the turn of Wood to go close before being held short. With the ball not forthcoming from the resultant ruck, Wibsey had an attacking scrum 5 metres out. The dominant pack shoved the Heath 8 back and with their scrum disintegrating Bourne picked up to easily score under the sticks. 28 - 0 Vogel then showed his strength and speed to score his second before the half time break. HT 35 - 0 Heath came out firing in the 2nd half immediately putting the home side under the cosh. Wibsey had to make a real goal-line stand and put in some telling hits to repel the attack. A penalty award to Wibsey then relieved the pressure, to which the Heath No. 8 took exception. The referee then sent him from the field of play. The green and reds then began to let the numerical advantage pay as they kept play in the Heath half slowly working up the hill. A penalty award saw Gregson kick to the corner, the pack new the drill. Bourne, jumping at four, collected the throw. As the Wibsey eight trundled up the hill Greenwood broke off the back with Andy Rose behind him to dive over. 42 - 0 Heath weren’t for giving up though as they set about trying to score, only some desperate try saving tackles prevented the Halifax men from crossing the whitewash. Wibsey managed to turnover the ball, then attempt a daring break-out, this almost signalled disaster as the ball went loose on their own try line, but Smith showed a cool head under pressure to collect then beat four men to take play up to the 22. In the dying seconds the Wibsey line out worked well as they drove up the field catching the heath backs offside, a quickly taken tap by Greenwood saw him feed the backs, the impressive Smith again showed his pace before drawing the cover to send in the supporting fullback Carl Walker under the posts at the final whistle. FT 42 – 0 On a day of meeting old friends and reliving past glories the youthful backline today showed that Wibsey also have a bright future. Tries J Vogel (2) Collins Smith Bourne Greenwood Walker
Conv. Wood Sawyer (5) POWER-PACKED ENDING NOT ENOUGH
The home side played very well for long periods of the game, where they were dominating field position and were putting Vandals under the cosh for long periods. A strong start by Wibsey playing up the Beldon Lane slope saw the Villagers camped in the home 22 for much of the first quarter. The home side spurned a couple of easy penalty chances, going instead for the rarely scored uphill try. Wibsey went close several times but never managed to cross the white wash. But Wibsey were happy with spending the majority of play in the Vandals final third. The home line out looked good, Andy McDonald hitting his jumpers well, with James Birkbeck prominent at the back of the line setting up many attacking options. It was soon Vandals turn to be on the attack with their shortened line causing problems to the home side. From a line-out on the 22 the visitors put on an impressive unstoppable drive to score near the posts 0 – 7. As Vandals continued to press the home side began to leak penalties, of which the Warley men converted one. 0 – 10. Another penalty for offside at the line out saw Vandals score a try from a planned tap penalty move. HT 0 – 17. Wibsey turned around with renewed vigour, but the visitors were not in the mood for lying down. An early attack up the slope saw a penalty award near the post which was duly converted. 0 – 20 This saw the introduction of the Wibsey bench, forwards Neil Carter and Glen Alderson, and winger Matt Holdsworth. The extra energy in the pack finally started to tip the game in the favour of the home side, this was helped with the Vandals 2nd row spending 10 minutes in the sin bin. The Green and Reds were now making good yards all over the pitch, with the Vogel brothers in the centres a constant threat. A string of penalties saw Wibsey camped on the Vandals line, first Carter then Alderson were tackled close to the line before the ball was shipped out for Chris Vogel to stretch out to score an unconverted try. 5 – 20 The Wibsey pack were now dominating scrums, putting the Vandals eight under extreme pressure, turning over their feeds with regularity. This meant that the Villagers were dominating territory and pounded the Vandals defence. Credit must be given to the visitors who made two or three goal-line stands and withheld extreme pressure with excellent defence. Wibsey kept up the intensity right to the final whistle, with prop Paul Garside refusing to be denied despite the attention of the majority of the Vandals pack as he spun and carried them with him over the line to score from a lengthy 5 metre charge from a tap penalty. FT 10 – 20 This was Wibsey’s best performance of the season, and with a little more composure in defence and attack they could surely have caused an upset against the team lying 2nd in Yorks 5NW.
Tries C. J. Vogel P. Garside WIBSEY FIVE TIMES BETTER
Club MatchSaturday 3 February 2007
Wibsey finally put in an 80 minute performance, scoring five tries, to give coach Ian Gregson a smile. The Villagers were always on top in this encounter with the pack giving solid clean ball going forward and the backs linking up together well, particularly in the 2nd half. The visitors started positively, moving the ball well but without threatening a score, as the Castleford defenders tackled aggressively and also spoiled as much ball as possible by fair means or foul. An early knee injury saw 2nd row David Bird leave the field to give Glen Alderson his debut. He slotted into the pack well putting in some telling hits. As the visitors piled on the pressure Castleford began to give up an increasing amount of penalties. The Villagers always took the positive option, one such option saw Wibsey take the scrum option ten metres out near the posts, after earlier going close with a pushover effort. Play went to the right wing before a couple more phases down the wing saw the ball go through the hands to find hooker Andy McDonnall in the centre birth. He showed great awareness to run straight to hold the cover defence before releasing debutant winger Paul Collins to score a well worked try. Steve Hadcroft converted 0 – 7 Collins was back in the action again with a great 40 metre run after fielding a Castleford kick before halftime. HT 0 – 7 Gregson’s halftime team talk encouraged his backs not to run at the tough tackling centres, but put the ball wider, using the fullback as an extra man. The backs did not disappoint him as Wibsey scored four 2nd half tries. There were two carbon-copy tries for fullback Carl Walker as he followed his coach’s guidance to score on the left flank. His brace was intersected by a charge down by skipper Dan Horsfall, who collected well and scooted 30 metres to score a converted try. 0 - 24 The final score came when Wibsey worked a three-man overlap with the ball in the hands of No.8 Rob Bourne with only the opposition the loose head prop in front of him. He of course ran straight at him and was tackled. The Green and Reds managed to recycle the ball but the chance appeared to be lost, prop Andy Rose showed good tactical nous with a long pass out to Collins on the wing, whose sheer pace rounded most of the cover, before he was tackled ten metres short. He showed great awareness to pass off the floor to the supporting prop Paul Garside who in turn fed Rob Greenwood to score unopposed. FT 0 – 29 A much improved performance by the Villagers was shown this weekend, but they will have to improve further for next weeks game at home to Old Rishworthians.
Tries Walker (2) Collins Horsfall Greenwood Conv. Hadcroft (2)
WIBSEY RUE FIRST HALF MISTAKES
Burley 31 - 12 Wibsey Yorkshire 5 North West League Match
The winner of this game was never in doubt in the first half, where errors by the visitors were ruthlessly punished by the unbeaten league leaders. Wibsey started competently enough running through the phases despite some strong tackling by the hosts. The Villagers were looking dangerous as they took play into the Burley half, before a turnover and booming kick had fullback Carl Walker struggling and isolated. He took the safety first route and kicked the ball dead. From the resultant 5 metre scrum Burley scored a training ground try to take the lead. 5 – 0 The home side increased their lead immediately from the restart with a well worked try through the backs. 12 – 0 Wibsey fought back well for a time but a fumble by Dan Horsfall when trying to clear his lines saw Burley with an attacking 5 metre line-out. The home team went through the phases and duly scored another try to extend their lead. 19 – 0 Another long range try from the kick-off put 7 more points on the board before yet another mistake in the defensive line saw a final first half try. HT 31 – 0 Wibsey turned around with the words of coach Ian Gregson ringing in their Ears, and they didn’t disappoint him. With the forwards just holding their opponents in the tight phases of play up the hill, down it they began to play on the front foot. The scrums started to move in their favour, giving scrappy possession to the hosts, which was then defended stoutly keeping Burley firmly on the backfoot. Poor Burley kicking saw Walker and winger James Sawyer have ample opportunities to show their attacking credentials. Centre pairing Steve Hadcroft and Chris Vogel’s game changed from putting out fires in midfield to turning into chief arsonists themselves. The power of Vogel had the home side struggle to contain him and as Wibsey turned the screw play was centred in the Hosts half. After Vogel and Sawyer went close, Wibsey had an attacking 5 metre line-out, a clean take at the back by James Birkbeck saw the whole pack drive the maul over the line at a great rate of knots with replacement prop Paul Garside taking the try but the whole pack taking the credit. Hadcroft adding the extras. 31 – 7 Coach Gregson then brought on former skipper Rob Greenwood for his first appearance this season after injury and winger Simon Birkbeck. In a tactical switch Sawyer moved to scrum half, a position he plays in 2nd XV, Joe Gregson moved to Fly-half, Horsfall moved to fullback with Walker taking Sawyer’s birth on the wing. Gregson’s distributional skills showed up well as Wibsey’s game became more expansive, this stretched the Burley defence to the limit as the game became more fluid. So fluid that on the end of a great passage of play was hooker Andy McDonnall who scored wide on the left in the centre berth. He was reminiscent of former Wibsey front rower Paul “Wafter” Walker, always lurking in the backs looking for a winger to run over! FT 31 – 12 Wibsey take great heart from their 2nd half performance in which three regular 2nd XV players showed up well with Sawyer excellent throughout and Dan Garside and Simon Birbeck’s tackling awesome, with a Birkbeck “Thundercracker” tackle one that will live long in the memory. Tries P. Garside A. McDonnall
Conv. S. Hadcroft WIBSEY EFFORTS FOR NOUGHT
Ossett 51 - 0 Wibsey Yorkshire 5 North West League Match
Under strength Wibsey suffered their heaviest defeat of the season by well drilled Ossett. The Ossett forwards dominated the loose play from beginning to end. Only desperate defending stopped the score being much higher, with many last ditch tackles or turnovers close to the line stopping what seemed to be certain tries. Ossett played with the wind at their backs in the first half, and with Wibsey’s inability to clear their lines the home side racked up the pressure and the points to lead 29 – 0 at the break. With the wind behind them the Villagers weren’t much better with their kicking game ineffectual, their forward drives static and handling erratic it wasn’t long before Ossett were back in charge to score more tries to increase their lead. FT 51 – 0 Wibsey couldn’t be faulted for effort, but they were totally outplayed from first to last. GARFORTH’S LATE SURGE SECURES WIN
Wibsey 9 - 36 Garforth
A strong 2nd half performance by Garforth saw the visitors take the points. Wibsey took the lead in the very first minute with a penalty from Steve Hadcroft after Garforth were penalised from the kick-off. 3 - 0 The visitors hit straight back when they put the ball through the hands for their winger to beat his opposite number and score from thirty metres out. 3 – 5 A reshuffle had to take place in the Wibsey pack after Mark Carter had to leave the field with a hamstring pull. This didn’t cause the pack to be any less effective as they battled hard in the 1st phase and the loose. The visitors discipline were causing them the most problems though, with Hadcroft slotting over a further two penalties and missing a third. 9 – 5 The Villagers grew in confidence as their young backs were increasingly taking on their opponents, with good runs, notably by Carl Walker and Curtis Butler. The Garforth defence was very committed with some excellent tackling stopping the Wibsey pack from getting too much of a roll on. A penalty in the final minute of the half, after a late tackle on Dan Horsfall saw the green and reds kick for the corner. Wibsey set up the catch and drive but were rebuffed by committed Garforth defence. Wibsey moved play to the left with the backs ten yards out where Paul Garside then took the ball on, bursting through three attempted tackles before he was halted over the line by strong, desperate defence and turned so that he couldn’t ground the ball on the last play of the half. HT 9 – 5 The 2nd half saw Garforth pile on the pressure, keeping play in the Wibsey half constantly. A steal at the back of a Wibsey scrum in their own 22 saw the visitors take the lead with a converted try which they were never to lose. 9 - 12 An astute kicking game and Wibsey’s inability to break the Garforth line meant that the Villagers never threatened a score or in fact enter Garforth territory. Any home clearance kicks that were not to find touch were invariably returned with interest. Despite Wibsey having some success in the line out, where Chris Vogel and James Birkbeck were excellent, the green and reds were not able to turn this advantage into any good field position. Into the final third of the game Garforth began to convert their superiority into points with a flurry of tries as Wibsey were unable to stem the tide. FT 9 – 36 On their 2nd half show, and last weeks mauling of Rodillions, Garforth will be hoping to push for a play-off spot come the end of the season. Wibsey will be clinging on to the memory of their 1st half performance when they travel to Ossett in two weeks time.
Hadcroft (3)
WIBSEY ON THE ROAD TO SUCCESS
Yorkshire 5 North West League Match Saturday 11 November 2006
Wibsey recorded their first victory on the road since January. It was a win full of guts and determination, which with 25 minutes to go was starting to look unlikely as the home side attacked the Wibsey line. Wibsey started brightly, the forwards making good ground with the ball in hand. Andy Rose, Bob Wood and Chris Vogel all taking the lead with good drives. The Wibsey backs looked good despite the poor handling conditions, Jamie Vogel was a constant thorn in the Rishworthian’s side all afternoon. He was ably supported by his centre partner Steve Hadcroft who was always close by to carry on the attacks either being available for the offload or recycling the ball. The back three of Walker, Holdsworth and Butler were always on the lookout to attack and on another day they may have had more reward for their endeavours. Hadcroft missed a penalty chance but the Villagers were straight back on the attack with strong forward drives, the ball then went to the left where the rampaging prop Andy Rose was tackled just short, but he presented the ball well for Fly Half and Skipper Dan Horsfall to pick up at the back of the ruck and touchdown unopposed for the simplest of tries. Hadcroft missed the conversion. 0 – 5 The game became scrappy as the hosts fought hard to gain parity, the play littered with errors and penalties, the home Fly half striking the post with a penalty attempt. HT 0 – 5 Wibsey endeavoured to cut the rate of penalties in the 2nd half, but sadly failed as the Copley men began to fight back. The home team increasingly put Wibsey’s pack under pressure in the tight phases of the game, and it was no surprise as Rishworthians cut the deficit to two points with a penalty. 3 – 5 A penalty award near the 22 saw the Halifax side kick to the corner and attack the Wibsey line. The Villagers repelled the raiders but were under the cosh for almost 10 minutes before they were able to clear their lines after many goal-line stands. A couple of strong bursts by Jamie Vogel and Bob Wood saw Wibsey begin to gain territorial advantage, an advantage which they were never to lose. The introduction of replacement prop Paul Garside shored up the Wibsey scrum as it became the visitors turn to pressurise 1st phase ball. The Villagers began to get their game going forward which gave the backs a little more room to play rugby. From an attacking scrum 30 metres out the half backs pulled a move straight out of the training park which saw Jamie Vogel burst through the first line of defence, he cut back towards the posts but seemed certain to be enveloped by the cover. The centre had other ideas as he stepped two would-be tacklers, ignored the supporting Garside, then rounded the fullback to score under the posts to secure the win with a magnificent piece of finishing. Hadcroft added the simple extras. 3 – 12 Rishworthians gamely tried to attack to save the game, but they were always having to launch their raids from deep in their own half as Wibsey continued to keep play in the home half. FT 3 – 12 This was a much needed win for the Green and Reds who have a lot to thank the interplay between Horsfall and Jamie Vogel for their victory. Solid forward play laid the foundations for the first try, but the pack underperformed for sizable chunks of the match. Had the pack played better for longer periods the margin of victory would have been greater.
Tries Horsfall J. Vogel
Conv.
Hadcroft REFEREE’S DECISION DENIES WIBSEY SHOCK VICTORY
Wibsey came within a whisker of inflicting the first defeat of the season to top of the table Burley. A howling gale blowing down the Beldon Lane slope, with driving rain and hail added into the mix in the latter stages of the 2nd half, meant that this game was never going to be a free flowing classic. Wibsey’s young side showed great maturity in the way they played up the slope in the 1st half, the forwards played patient controlled rugby to slowly gain ground and keep play away from the home 22. When the visitors managed to gain good field position they didn’t waste it. Strong running with good hands in the backs saw the league leaders cross for two tries. 12 – 0 The home side carried on with their well drilled play, and were rewarded when Steve Hadcroft slotted a difficult penalty chance into the teeth of the gale. HT 12 – 3 Wibsey pushed Burley hard in the 2nd half causing the visitors to give up a few penalties, which Hadcroft attempted to convert into to points at every opportunity, successfully twice in the blustery conditions, to leave the Villagers just three points behind. 12 – 9 The home side really began to turn the screw on their opponents, with Mark Carter jumping at the front of the line-out a constant thorn on the Burley throw. The Burley scrum was also creaking from strong home drives. A penalty award five metres out near the touchline saw Wibsey take the scrum option and drive the Burley eight back. As the visiting pack retreated over their own line the scrum was collapsed, but no penalty was forthcoming as the ball had already come out the back of the scrum. The Green and Reds kept up the pressure on the visitors line with a five metre line out, the ever dependable James Birkbeck collecting the possession, then the whole pack driving together for Bob Wood to score wide out. But the referee had other ideas and adjudged Wood to be “held up”, the Wibsey prop received a ticking off from the whistle-blower for showing his disappointment at his potential match winning try being wiped off. Burley took heart from this let off and managed to keep play around half way as Wibsey’s play became more desperate. Skipper Horsfall finally managed to find some possession to set Wibsey forward again, and he didn’t disappoint, a booming kick found touch five metres from the Burley line. Carter again got his hands in the way of his opposite number to force a scrum on the last play of the game. Wibsey put on the drive to cause pandemonium in the Burley scrum, but a cool head at the base of the scrum quickly hacked the ball into touch to signal the end of the game. FT 12 – 9 Wibsey can be proud of their effort, but so too can Burley as it would have been easy to roll over in the face of exceptional 2nd half pressure. It was a shame that a refereeing decision should be the main talking point of a match when two committed sides locked horns for the league points, and the team left empty handed sadly felt “We was robbed!” On a day of appalling weather the pack was always going to be to the fore but a special mention should be given to the front five, with Steve Clegg having his best game seen in a Wibsey shirt.
Hadcroft (3) WIBSEY’S CHARITABLE DISPLAY
Wibsey 14 - 17 Stanley Rodillions
Stanley Rodillions must have thought Christmas had come early as Wibsey gifted them most of their points in this Yorks 5 North West game. Straight from Rods’ kick-off Wibsey were doling out the presents allowing the visitors to catch the ball and set themselves on the attack. Three basic phases then saw the fullback take the ball up, sidestep one would-be tackler and carry himself through a weak two man tackle to score near the posts. The kick was scewed wide. 0 – 5 The home side came back into the game when winger Matt Holdsworth showed his speed and determination when collecting a Rods kick in his own half, he found a gap and raced clear towards the fullback, he then fed the supporting No. 8 Rob Borne who went in under the posts. Centre Steve Hadcroft converting 7 – 5 Neither side seemed to take a real hold on the game with both teams falling foul of the referee at regular intervals. Wibsey’s kick and chase regularly put Rods’ pedestrian back three under pressure, without gaining any real dividends except good field position. Rods then began to make any penalties they received count. They converted any that were near the posts, and one that was from halfway, an impressive kick. They scored three penalties before halftime. HT 7 – 14 Another early penalty saw Rods extend their lead to ten points. 7 – 17 Wibsey were not for throwing in the towel though as they threw themselves into attack. Stanley Rodillions showed they were prepared to fight for every ball in line-out or scrum as both teams kept up the intensity, with Wibsey trying to get back to parity and Rods determined to withstand anything that the home side could muster. A string of Wibsey penalties and free-kicks saw the home side run the ball at every opportunity. The Villagers were trying very hard but were losing their shape a little and became a bit one dimensional, using forward drives too often and not letting their young backs loose often enough. Wibsey finally broke through the committed Rods defence when Chris Vogel again showed his strength near the line to bust through to score. Hadcroft again converted with 13 minutes to play. 14 – 17 Wibsey endeavoured to break Rods down but the visitors were resilient to the end as the hosts failed to string together enough phases to stretch their opponents defence and score. FT 14 – 17 Wibsey will have to improve greatly next week for the visit of league leaders Burley, and make sure that everything the get they have to earn.
Tries R. Bourne C. J. Vogel Conv. S. Hadcroft (2) EARLY DECISION COST MATCH
Wibsey 15 - 18 Harrogate Pythons Yorkshire 5 North West League Match
Reproduced by kind permission of the Telegraph & Argus
Wibsey’s mixture of over-35s and under-25s looked like they would pull off a fine comeback with an hour gone of this Yorkshire Division Five North West fixture.
They had turned round 18-3 behind but had narrowed the gap to within three points with a Matt Holdsworth try. However, in the final 20 minutes they weren’t able to mount consistent enough pressure on the visitors’ defence. “The game-plan was to make sure we didn’t concede anything in the first 20 to 25 minutes,” said experienced Wibsey prop Bob Wood, “so that when they tired we could take advantage. “We weren’t that worried at half-time but the penalty we gave away on their 22 in the second half was the turning point. “We have the potential to do something but the problem is that our younger players are too young and are still learning and the old heads are over 40. “But hopefully we’ll have Neil Carter (knee) back soon and maybe later Richard Hands (back injury) and, in the New Year, our skipper Rob Greenwood (forearm).” Wibsey, who were also without prop Andy Rose due to work, began brightly and took the lead with a sixth-minute penalty by full back Steve Hadcroft. But a failure to deal with the subsequent kick-off cost them dear as the clearance kick was half-charged down and referee Keith Rhodes awarded the Pythons a penalty after Wibsey had strayed offside. Fly half Steve Newall kicked it to level matters and a knock-on by Wibsey prop Andy McDonnell led to more self-imposed pressure. Pythons second row Marvin Mens made good ground down the right in the 11th minute and the attack was switched left for Bryn Paynton to cross. Wibsey then spurned the chance of a penalty kick when they only trailed 8-3 and what could have been 8-6 became 3-13 as centre Rick Paterson carved through some weak tackling to score. In the 33rd minute, Pythons got their third try after right winger Ainsley Hollingsworth had made the incision, Paterson going over from the second-phase. Garside came on for hooker Matt Hartley in the 47th minute and five minutes later Wood knocked on in trying to ground the ball with an outstretched arm. In the 54th minute, Wibsey’s pack got a decent drive, No 8 Rob Bourne touching down a pushover try and Hadcroft adding a solid conversion. On the hour, a delicate chip by scrum half Joe Gregson led to one Pythons defender kicking his clearance against another, Holdsworth scoring. Tries R. Bourne Conv. S. Hadcroft S. Hadcroft
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